Page 197 - (DK Eyewitness) Back Roads Travel Guide - France

DRIVE 18: The Pyrenees: End to End 195

PLAN YOUR DRIVE
Start/finish: Collioure to
St-Jean-de-Luz.
Distance: 800 km (500 miles).
Number of days: 7, allowing half a
day to explore the Pont d’Espagne.
Road conditions: Mostly good, but
be prepared for some stretches of
narrow, winding mountain roads.
When to go: From mid-May to
October, the route is passable, but
check before ascending. In winter,
higher passes may be closed by snow.
Above Former monastery just outside the Opening hours: Monuments and
0 kilometres 25 village of Mosset near Villefranche-de- museums are generally open from
Conflent, see p197 Below Church in the 10am to 6pm. Most sights close one
0 miles 25 day a week, most commonly Monday,
village of St-Savin, see p202
and on public holidays.
HAUTE- Main market days: Collioure: Wed,
GARONNE Sun; Céret: Sat; Arreau: Thu; St-Jean-
Pamiers Pied-de-Port: Mon; Espelette: Wed,
Montsaunès Sat in Jul & Aug.
Mirepoix
ARIÈGE
Salat
Col de Portet St-Girons Foix
d’Aspet Lavalanet
Castillon-en- Puivert AUDE
Couserans TARASCON-SUR- Quillan
Aret Seix Port ARIÈGE Bompas
de Lers ROUTE DES Axat
Port de la Core
CORNICHES PYR
COUSERANS Aulus- NIAUX Col du Chioula ORIE
les-Bains Vicdessos Roquefort
Ax-les-Thermes Mosset Catllar
Vielha Sorpe Prades
ABBA
VILLEFRANCHE-DE-CONFLENT
SP AIN ANDORRA VERNET-LES-BAINS
Llavorsi Font-Romeu Casteil
Andorra- Am
la-Vella Puigcerda Saillagouse les-Bains-Pal
Prats-de-Mollo
Shopping: Pick up a pair of handmade
traditional clogs on the way down the
Bethmale Valley in the Ariège.
Major festivals: Céret: Fête de la
Cérise, May; Festival Pablo Casals, Jul–
Aug; Espelette: Fête du Piment, Oct.
DAYTRIP OPTIONS
Those interested in Catalan culture
can spend a day in Catalonia; moun-
tain lovers will enjoy a day out in the
Hautes-Pyrénées; the Béarn is perfect
for those who like nature and the
Basque Country for those who love
the coast. For details, see p205.